STELLA CROCHET · BAGS & PURSES

Granny Square Tote Bag Crochet Pattern

Make a colorful 28 × 29 cm tote with four joined granny squares on the front, one large granny square on the back, and two sturdy crocheted straps.

Intermediate 6 mm hook Chunky yarn US terms

Start step reader Read full pattern

Granny square tote bag worn over the shoulder — Original finished tote photo after gentle clarity enhancement and orientation correction.

Materials, Size and Gauge

6 mm crochet hook
Chunky acrylic yarn: about 175 g total
Approximately 139 g for the main color and small amounts of eight contrast colors
Yarn needle, scissors and optional stitch markers
Finished size: approximately 28 × 29 cm

Gauge checkpoint: each four-round front square should measure about 13.5 cm across, or 17 cm corner to corner. Match the square size before continuing so the front and back panels align.

Abbreviations

ch chain · dc double crochet · sl st slip stitch · sp space · st(s) stitch(es) · beg beginning.

Front Squares — Make Four

Round 1: Ch 4 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, then work (ch 2, 3 dc in ring) three times. Ch 2 and join to the top of beg ch 3. Fasten off.
Round 2: Join a new color in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, then (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp. Ch 1. Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each remaining corner, with ch 1 between corners. Join and fasten off.
Round 3: Join a new color in any corner. Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the corner, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Repeat around. Join and fasten off.
Round 4: Join the main color in any corner. Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each corner and 3 dc in each ch-1 sp, with ch 1 between every cluster. Join and fasten off. Use the joining method below for Squares 2–4.

Four colorful granny squares before joining — Four completed motifs before the final join-as-you-go round.

Join the Four Front Squares

Complete Square 1 normally through Round 4.
On Square 2, begin Round 4 and stop after the first 3 dc of the corner that will connect to Square 1.
Ch 1, sl st into the adjoining corner of Square 1, ch 1, then finish the corner with 3 dc.
For each side space, work 3 dc in Square 2, then sl st into the matching space of Square 1. Repeat across the side.
Join the far corner in the same way, then finish Round 4 normally.
Attach Square 3 to create an L shape. Attach Square 4 along two sides, joining its shared corner to both neighboring corner spaces.

Joining two granny squares with a slip stitch — Slip stitch into the matching space of the neighboring square.

Two granny squares joined along one side — Continue matching each side space.

Three granny squares arranged in an L shape — Add the third square to form an L.

Outer round for the front panel

Treat the four joined motifs as one large square. Join the main color in an outside corner and work a standard granny-square round. At each seam, work one 3-dc cluster across the meeting spaces so the outer edge stays continuous. Finish with four corner groups of (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).

Four black granny squares joined into a front panel — Black front panel after joining four motifs.

Four white granny squares joined into a front panel — Light-color version showing the seams clearly.

Back Panel — One Nine-Round Square

Make one standard granny square in the main color. Begin with the same Round 1 construction. Turn after joining each round. For Rounds 2–9, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in every corner and one 3-dc cluster in every ch-1 side space, with ch 1 between clusters. Each new round adds one side cluster per side. Fasten off after Round 9.

Large white nine-round granny square for tote back — The single nine-round back panel.

Assembly and Top Edge

Place the front and back panels with wrong sides together.
Match the corners and stitches. Whip stitch the two sides and bottom, leaving the top open.
Join yarn anywhere along the opening. Ch 3 (counts as dc) and dc in every stitch around. Join and fasten off. 74 dc.

Crochet tote panels joined along three sides — Join three sides and leave the top open.

Top edge and strap placement on crochet tote — Keep the top edge even before adding straps.

Straps — Make Two

On the front top edge, count 12 stitches from the left side and join yarn.
Ch 3 (counts as the first dc) and dc in the next 4 stitches. The strap is five stitches wide.
Ch 3, turn and dc in the next 4 stitches. Repeat until the strap has 30 rows total.
Fasten off with a long tail. Count 12 stitches from the right side and sew the free end to the matching five-stitch section.
Repeat on the back panel for the second strap.

Close view of crochet tote strap attachment — Sew each five-stitch strap securely to the opposite side.

Finished white granny square tote bag — Finished light-color version showing both straps.

Count and Shape Checks

Front: four motifs, each completed through Round 4, followed by one continuous outer round.
Back: one granny square completed through Round 9.
Opening edge: 74 dc after the panels are joined.
Each strap is five stitches wide and 30 rows long.
The front and back must match along all three joined sides before whip stitching.
The source does not include lining instructions. Add a lining only as an optional separate sewing step.

Step 1 of 8

Check materials and gauge

Choose chunky yarn and make one four-round test square. Confirm approximately 13.5 cm across.

Granny square tote step

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fewer colors?

Yes. Preserve the four-round motifs and all stitch counts while choosing any color arrangement.

Why is the back one large square?

The single nine-round square creates a continuous back panel while matching the approximate size of the joined front.

Does the pattern include a lining?

No. The verified source ends after the straps and finishing. A fabric lining is optional and requires separate sewing instructions.

How do I keep the straps equal?

Count exactly 30 rows for each strap and compare them without stretching before sewing the second ends in place.